Messages

951

FARR Plugins and Aliases / Re: Post your FARR v2 Plugin Idea Requests Here - Plugin Writers Read In

« on: June 28, 2007, 02:28 PM »

i know this has been suggested before but i think the following would be useful:

plugin that shows list of installed printers and select one to set as default.
plugin that shows list of of add/remove entries and select to uninstall.

-mouser (June 28, 2007, 12:16 PM)

Interesting ideas.  Now if only I knew how to program...better!


EDIT - Before anyone says it - I am trying to learn it better via online tutorials, classes, and even the DC Programming School.  It just takes time and practice, neither of which I have in any abundance.

952

Announce Your Software/Service/Product / Re: [Official Release] Returnil Virtual System 2007

« on: June 28, 2007, 02:25 PM »

I did not take the time Curt did to read it all (specifically the forums); but I do, now, have a much better understanding of what this is and how it works.  It is not the only system I have seen doing this, though it may be working better or slightly differently (taking more into memory or working more globally depending on the app in question).  My single biggest question though is:  How do you manage several applications doing several different things at the same time?  If there is an issue, do you throw it all out wholesale, or is there a way to write safe datafiles to disk between turning it on and off?  I can easily see myself having my email, web browser, and Office documents all open at the same time.  Having this system in place, I would want the protection turned on due to the web browser and email, but with my document open, I might want to save it so if I did get infected, I could shut down, restart, and revert to the last saved point.  This would be particularly appealing to situations where my document is including clips from the internet.  I wouldn't want to be surfing, find a clip I want to keep, start a document, then I can't keep that document without sending it via email or otherwise saving it beyond the memory partition.  I would want to be able to save it without shutting down so I can guarantee it is saved.  Is there a way to do that without turning it off and on in the middle of projects?  I would hope so, but I didn't find any reference one way or the other outside the forums.

953

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: desktop icon manager/grouping

« on: June 28, 2007, 02:01 PM »

I use FARR as well but if you cant remember the name of that seldom used programme ...

-tomos (June 28, 2007, 01:08 AM)

That is when I use the "Not Quite Dead" Start Menu...


See here if you don't get the joke...

954

Developer's Corner / Re: Docoto Defense - DonationCoder.com Game in Development

« on: June 28, 2007, 01:33 PM »

i really only meant i'd take the background out if it was printed on a t-shirt - i just think a solid rectangle would look a bit odd, i.e. it wouldn't look like it had been designed for a t-shirt - which it wasn't.

-nudone (June 27, 2007, 03:55 PM)

Ah, Now I understand.  I also see what you mean.  I think in general I agree.  Given these examples, I would say (for a shirt), the order I like them best is:  4,1,2,3.  You are right, it just doesn't look right with the hard corners on a shirt.  Now for the web page....

955

General Software Discussion / Re: Making the Switch-05: Ten Great Ideas of GNU/Linux

« on: June 28, 2007, 01:16 PM »

There's a lot of opportunities to create some great software on the GNU/Linux platform; if nothing else, just making similar software like the great file managers we have on Windows. Porting won't work for this category. But the first person who does build (a) an AutoHotkey app, and (b) a great file manager for GNU/Linux will be a pioneer, I think. I'm using MEPIS this week and you can do some clever things with Konquerer, but it presents files in a web layout kind of way. Definitely not used to that. My question is: who has this kind of time anymore?

-zridling (June 28, 2007, 07:52 AM)

Amen

956

Living Room / Re: Please help [me make a game]

« on: June 28, 2007, 01:05 PM »

Text based with a few graphics? You mean like http://www.kingdomofloathing.com/ ?

All you'd really need to do is learn PHP, CSS, and XHTML, with some database like MySQL.

All of those things are free to download and learn, with decent manuals. For CSS and XHTML, check out the W3 consortium. ...

-Deozaan (June 27, 2007, 05:53 PM)

I always found W3 consortium to be a little difficult to learn from when you don't know up from down of the language.  I much prefer using HTMLDog.com.  They take a simple, step-by-step, standards only approach similar to W3C, but with a "For Dummies" type of feel.  They also explain more fully why you should do something the way they suggest and in many cases why/how it works that way.  They also have a comprehensive list of current tags that you can click on to show usage.  I just always felt it made more sense and was more user friendly than W3C.  That said, W3C is, never the less, a defacto source for valid information regarding any programming standard, not just XHTML or CSS.

957

Developer's Corner / Re: Docoto Defense - DonationCoder.com Game in Development

« on: June 27, 2007, 02:55 PM »

I don't know, I like it. What background would you have instead?  Either way, it will certainly be a predominate part of the web page if I have a say in it.

958

General Software Discussion / Re: Making the Switch-05: Ten Great Ideas of GNU/Linux

« on: June 27, 2007, 12:34 PM »

Lashiec, perhaps the reason why there's no DOpus/ XYplorer/ xplorer² on GNU/Linux is that the layout of the Linux filesystem is a different model than we know in Windows.

-zridling (June 26, 2007, 11:26 PM)

Excellent point that I couldn't put adequately into words due to my limited experience.  That said, it does seem it shouldn't be too difficult to create an application that finds these programs or even one that manages the data within a user's home folder (which is where most data should be kept anyway unless there is a compelling reason to do otherwise).   Even moving things is pretty simple in *NIX, so why not have a simple GUI interface that allows you to manage that movement?  You already are using the interface and the CLI commands are there already, they just need married into a UI that is usable.  I know you are just the messenger about this, but I see both sides to this.  I know the system is not even vaguely like a windows environment (except maybe for the look if you choose to have one), yet I really never see any good file management tools either beyond CLI tools.  Again, maybe this is my limited experience talking, but I wouldn't think it should be difficult, and it seems it would be quite handy...

959

Finished Programs / Re: SOLVED: desktop icon manager/grouping

« on: June 27, 2007, 12:26 PM »

I am not sure I completely followed all of the requests, but it brought together an intriguing idea.  What if the "zones" were created such that a smallish zone (maybe the top half of the screen for example) was shortcuts to other zones.  Then say two or three zones taking up the lower half would change based on the shortcut selected.  Then you could go to the "Work Zone" for example, and the lower half would show work related shortcuts on the left and documents and other data links on the right.  Then you could quickly switch to the "Play Zone" to play your tower defense game, for example that would be in the lower left zone when it replaced the "work" icons.  Sort of a partial virtual desktop.

Just a thought to any interested in such an idea...Personally, I just use FARR and am done with it.

960

General Software Discussion / Re: Backup methods and programs.

« on: June 26, 2007, 11:00 PM »

I don't think anyone was making it out to be a target, it just seems rather a difficult to setup for what is essentially is a Mirrored RAID array.  Setting this up in the hardware is dead simple and it is a set and forget affair.  If there is a problem, you just take out the problem drive and run off the mirror.  Now it does not replace a backup program as has been hinted at before here at DC, but I don't think your setup really is designed to replace a backup routine either.  Rather if it is, it seems to suffer from the same backup problems a RAID array would with the addition that your system could loose a lot more data if it has been a while between runs. 

A mirrored array (et. al.) is just to have immediate or near immediate recovery from a HD failure, but there are MANY more problems that would require a backup.  Best practices have been identified to do a backup routine as f0dder has suggested.  This protects data from ALL threats that can be reasonably expected.  For corporate use, disaster recovery methods state all this, plus mirroring or backup setups be completed at another physical location as well; but that is far beyond the needs of most home users.  Unless you want to make a weekly stop at a safety deposit box with a DVD-RW or something similar.

I can tell you that your system is quite inventive, and it does work nicely as a exercise in dual booting WinXP (not a small task in itself).  However, I personally just don't see an advantage.  That said, the best thing I can say is it works for you and you are happy enough that your data is as safe as you feel you need.  What more can you ask for?

961

Find And Run Robot / Re: Do you want to see F&R with optional skins?

« on: June 26, 2007, 06:37 PM »

sorry, i blame the jet lag and trying to catch up and my browser messing up

-iphigenie (June 26, 2007, 06:55 AM)

Wow, that is some jet-lag!!!  Sept 05 - Jun 07?!?   

962

General Software Discussion / Re: Backup methods and programs.

« on: June 26, 2007, 12:29 PM »

Sounds to me like RAID mirroring.  Many motherboards support that now on chip, in an easier setup than this.  It may work for older hardware, but it seems to me to be a lot of trouble for what can be done on the motherboard controller now (for the most part).  Is there some advantage to this method that I don't get?

963

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: Choose which browser will open a url from external app

« on: June 24, 2007, 05:34 AM »

it would also be extremely useful if you can say that certain urls (or urls open from certain programs) can launch the configured browser you've already set (without prompt), while others prompt you and let you cancel.  kind of like a browser opening firewall.

i hope here someone will write this.

-mouser (June 23, 2007, 10:52 AM)

I  LOVE this idea.  I have many pages that I must open in IE because of the way it is made or, in at least one case, because of the application running to create the page (sharepoint portal).  It just won't open in Firefox without using one of the engine converters (which have their own issues on my machine).

If I can define and set specific URL's to open a new page in IE right out of the application in use at that time (usually Firefox), that would be awesome.

964

General Software Discussion / FARR integration into Vista as Default Search!

« on: June 22, 2007, 01:27 PM »

In case people haven't heard already....

Newest update (well 2 days ago) from Microsoft.  To comply with federal anti-competitive charges from 2002, Microsoft has agreed to make changes to the integrated search bar in Vista.  These changes will allow end users to change the default desktop search engine more easily, and it appears that it will allow more integration.  Just think, FARR right in the start bar and explorer search bar instead of just a hotkey.  More options, same great program 

Full details:  http://redmondmag.com/news/article.asp?editorialsid=8716

965

Official Announcements / Re: DC-IRLDD #2: DonationCoder Real Life Dinner+Drinks, Sat 7/14, Champaign Illi

« on: June 22, 2007, 12:48 PM »

Don't forget to check out that newish bookcase 

966

Post New Requests Here / Re: IDEA: "Mark as spam" bookmarklet

« on: June 22, 2007, 12:44 PM »

Don't know about the rest, but it seems to me if ANYONE can override the markup, so can the reciever.  It just needs to be a program that overrides the override with the original settings, right?  Now if only I could program better....

967

Developer's Corner / Re: Docoto Defense - DonationCoder.com Game in Development

« on: June 22, 2007, 11:25 AM »

Fair enough.  I will PM you for more information about what your ideas are, what I can do, etc.

968

General Software Discussion / Re: LocatePC: Free Theft Recovery Software For Your PC

« on: June 21, 2007, 09:56 PM »

The problem I see on a college campus (or anywhere for that matter) is that by using IP address alone in a DHCP environment, it can be anywhere.  What's more a simple ipconfig /release then ipconfig /renew forces it to get a new IP address. Take that and move it anywhere without impunity, because your IP just got moved to someplace else.

So you simply log an IP address of where it is, eh?  Well reformat is simple to do without accessing the CD or HD as appropriate.  Either way, once there is no OS to boot to, you can reinstall an OS of any type.  Any software that did the tracking is gone and so is the IP addresses that it tracked.

What about putting it in the Hardware somehow?  Has anyone reprogrammed a BIOS without causing issues?  I don't know anyone who can, let alone do so for download without screwing up someone's PC.  Using a card instead?  Well first you have to have a slot, then a program to understand what it is doing (fixed again by a format), then you have to find it and install it.

These various issues is why I think it is almost worthless for any real thief.  No, to track it regardless, it must be done in the BIOS or some hardware level tracking independent of the OS.  A MAC address can be one example built into the NIC card.  A BIOS tracker could work if the computer supports it somehow (BTW:  Many could, that is how vendors track the serial number electronically to assist you via their web sites).  But again, to keep it independent, an outside source would need to query the hardware.  Some firewalls could block this, and hence a MAC tracker would make the most sense.  You can't connect to the Network without exposing SOMETHING that identifies your computer uniquely, and that is something a MAC address is designed to do.  Now, is Tekzel right about it being only on a subnet?  I am not sure, but I didn't think so.  Still, there is a way to do it, I just don't know enough details to say how.

969

General Software Discussion / Re: Automatic Reg Key Backup

« on: June 21, 2007, 01:26 PM »

You can always just do a registry backup.  They are small and easy.  Just go into regedit and export.  It creates a backup.  Or were you looking for something with more granular control of specific keys for some reason?

970

General Software Discussion / Re: LocatePC: Free Theft Recovery Software For Your PC

« on: June 21, 2007, 01:21 PM »

I don't see how that would work, since the mac address isn't used past the local subnet.  Even if the software intercepted each outbound foreign packet and inserted it in there somewhere it wouldn't be any more identifying than the IP address.

-Tekzel (June 21, 2007, 09:45 AM)

What do you mean?  Are you certain that it is not used outside the subnet?  The IP address is just a packet that makes it easier to route from my understanding.  In fact, if IPv6 is used (not that it will be soon, but theoretically speaking), the MAC address (well part of it at least) is a part of the IP address.  Besides, with DHCP so common now days the IP address may get you to the city, but that is about as far as you can get reliably.  The MAC address, however, will get you to the NIC.  The only way to get around that is to clone a MAC, and it still becomes pretty site specific.

971

Living Room / Re: Latest Apple Mac vs PC Commercial: PCs suck because of all the software choices

« on: June 20, 2007, 10:57 PM »

I like Linux since the interface is becoming more graphical. Mint is one I've been using lately.
Linux is growing and its great to watch.

-laughinglizard (June 19, 2007, 06:06 PM)

Yea, another Mint user.

972

General Software Discussion / Re: LocatePC: Free Theft Recovery Software For Your PC

« on: June 20, 2007, 09:15 PM »

Great for college laptops I reckon. Thanks for the find.

Of course as always if the thief is smart enough they will just format it before connecting to the internet. However in most caes and in case of accidental losing work computers this could come in very handy.

-justice (June 20, 2007, 03:44 AM)

That is why I think some kind of MAC address tracker would be a better result...You upload your MAC address to a database and then if your laptop gets stolen, you send out a query looking for the address...

973

General Software Discussion / Re: How can I save a Quicktime Movie I watch on the internet to my computer

« on: June 20, 2007, 07:47 PM »

Thanks for the DownloadHelper info Curt. Finally an easy way to grab flash in FireFox. Better than any other plugin I've tried.

-Nighted (June 20, 2007, 12:00 PM)

Have you tried UnPlug?  If so, why do you say DownloadHelper is better?  I have never used DownloadHelper as UnPlug has always worked well for me, but if there is something better, I can give it a try.

974

General Software Discussion / Re: Is the Windows start menu dead?

« on: June 20, 2007, 07:32 PM »

To answer the original question, I would have to suggest that it is not dead in the least.  As we have already seen, some people prefer it, and with the coding already done, I don't see Microsoft dropping it.  Rather I see it slowly fading away (from start to Windows Icon button, to whatever...maybe just a "Classic Vista" look - who knows) if it goes away at all.  I see the search bar (like FARR) becoming the next big method for finding applications, but even that has shortcomings, especially for end users who don't know what to call the software.

A typical example at work is people request invoice imaging software.  No one knows it is called "Content Manager" (an imaging program from IBM).  If you were to type imaging into FARR or anything like it, it would not show up.  If you typed Content Manager, it would, but if you just run the application from a calling app (as it is used in the workplace), then it doesn't matter.  Well that is until you want to use the application independently.  Issues such as this would make the menu work much better than an inline search.

Who knows, if I am wrong and it does go away; I think you will see a resurgence of demand for programs such as the office start bar, LaunchBar Commander, et. al.

975

General Software Discussion / Re: Share Usb Devices

« on: June 16, 2007, 11:25 AM »

Another option that might be easier is to use a Wireless print server like the DLink 1260.  It sets up any USB printer OR SCANNER and allows them to be used on the network.  You can connect them wired or wireless, though to set up you need to do so wired.  I just set one up two nights ago for a client and it only took an hour to set up 3 computers with 4 different devices on it wirelessly.  I think we charged them around $120US, including installation, though don't quote me on that...